1Do not rebuke an older man h...

1Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers,

2older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

- P78

Paul instructs Timothy to treat older men as fathers, younger men as brothers,
older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters. The church mustcare for widows truly in need, who have no family left to provide for them.
Those who do not provide for their relatives are worse than unbelievers.
Younger widows are advised to marry. - P79

16If any woman who is a believer has widows in her care, she should continue to help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION

- P79

Paul encourages Timothy to treat everyone in the church as if they were family members. This is a model for us to follow as we interact with other believers, who are members of the same spiritual family. Some people may speak harshly to their family members, but we are to care for one another in the church and treat everyone with respect regardless of age or gender. When we see believers as fellow members of God’s family, we tend to treat them differently. - P80

We have a familiarity and loving connection with them. We are willing to do more for a family member than we might do for a stranger. We should treat each other like family because we are family, united in Christ for eternity. - P80

In the early centuries, widows were vulnerable to economic and physicalharm. Without the financial support and protection of a husband or otherfamily members, widows were easily taken advantage of. They could fallinto poverty or worse.  - P80

Paul makes clear that the church is to support andcare for the vulnerable and needy. When we help believers in need, weare doing God‘s work. Those who are able to care for their own familiesare encouraged to do so without demanding more assistance from thechurch. This allows the church to focus their resources on those who havethe greatest need. In this way, the most vulnerable receive all the love, care,
and support the church can provide. - P80

Heavenly Father, I am reminded of how important it is that everyone in Your family is treated with respect and receives Your love - P81

I confess that I sometimes struggle to see my spiritual brothers and sisters as family. Help me to love them as Jesus does. In His name I pray, amen. - P81

6If you point these things ou...

6If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.

7Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.

8For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

9This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.

- P74

10That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

11Command and teach these things.

12Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.

- P75

14Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

15Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.

16Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

- P75

Paul tells Timothy to train in godliness. Though young, he must set an examplefor the believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity,  - P75

He is to devotehimself to public Scripture reading, preaching, and teaching, not neglectinghis gift. Paul urges him to persevere, watching his life and doctrine closely, forby doing so, he saves both himself and his hearers. - P75

Paul urges Timothy to stay firm in the truth, guarding the church againstfalse teaching while focusing on his own godliness. Rather than gettingcaught up in empty debates and distractions,  - P76

Timothy is encouraged toengage in disciplines such as studying Scripture, which have value for hislife on earth and for his eternal life. Timothy is reminded to be a model inhis speech and conduct, demonstrating love, faith, and purity.  - P76

Though heis young. Timothy should not let anyone look down on him. He shouldteach with confidence, showing that godly character is not a matter of agebut of commitment to Christ. This passage encourages all Christians towholeheartedly embrace growing in godliness.  - P76

With perseverance and afirm commitment to the gospel, we can engage in spiritual disciplines suchas prayer and reading Scripture that equip and strengthen us to be faithfulwitnesses of Christ. - P76

Dear Jesus, thank you for being the perfect example for us to follow. Help usknow You better and keep us so that our feet do not stray from Your ways.
Continue to teach us to be more like You. In Your name, amen. - P77

16Beyond all question, the my...

16Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory. - P68

3They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.

4For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,

5because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
- P69

Paul writes to Timothy on how God‘s people should live in God‘s household.
The mystery of godliness is great: Christ appeared, was preached and be-lieved, and was taken up in glory.  - P69

In later times, some will abandon the faithand follow deceiving spirits. These false teachers forbid marriage and certainfoods, but all God‘s creations are good when received with thanksgiving. - P69

Paul reminds Timothy that his instructions are meant to establish order in the church, which belongs to God. The church is not to be rooted in human wisdom or traditions but in the life, death, resurrection, and reign of Jesus Christ. - P70

As the pillar and foundation of this truth, the church should hold up the gospel message and be grounded in it. - P70

The church is able to do this because God’s people recognize where true godliness is found. They acknowledge the incarnation of Jesus, His vindication by the Spirit, the proclamation about Him to the nations, and His ascension into glory. - P70

Jesus Christ is central to our faith, and we must be anchored in Him in order to reflect His character and serve Him well. - P70

In the last days, some will abandon the faith and follow deceptive teachings.
These false doctrines do not come from God but from deceitful spirits andhuman distortions of the truth.  - P70

In order to ensure that we are not led astray,
we must remain unwavering in our commitment to Christ and His Word.
- P70

The best defense against false teaching is a deep grounding in Scripture.
- P70

When we are well-rooted in God‘s Word, we can more easily discern whataligns with the gospel and what does not.  - P70

Paul reminds us that everythingGod created is good when received with thanksgiving and consecrated bythe Word and prayer.  - P70

Thus, we need to be firmly rooted in Scripture so thatwe can stay aligned with the truth. - P70

Lord Jesus, You are the foundation and head of the church. Help me to be grounded in Your Word so that I may reflect Your wisdom, grace, and truth. - P70

Strengthen me to remain faithful to the gospel and to confidently share it with others. In Your name I pray, amen. - P70

8In the same way, deacons are...

8In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.

9They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

- P65

10They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

11In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.

12A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well.

13Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.
- P65

1Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.

2Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

- P64

Overseers must be above reproach, faithful to one wife, self-controlled, hos-pitable, able to teach, and able to manage their family well.  - P65

Similarly, deaconsmust be worthy of respect, sincere, not greedy, and hold the deep truths ofthe faith with a clear conscience.  - P65

Those who serve well gain respect and greatassurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. - P65

Paul outlines the qualifications for an overseer—usually a church pastor today—emphasizing the importance of personal character. - P66

Overseers are expected to demonstrate integrity, self-control, and faithfulness. These qualities must shape their leadership both in the church and at home. Their reputation must be above reproach, demonstrating wisdom and maturity in how they relate to others, including those outside the faith. - P66

This high standard is necessary because pastoral ministry is a noble and weighty responsibility. In a world that often prioritizes giftedness over godliness, Paul reminds us that leadership in the church is about modeling Christ-like character. - P66

Pastors must hold themselves accountable to these standards, and the church should support them through prayer and encouragement, and by following their godly example. - P66

Like the overseers, deacons―the leaders entrusted with practical and administrative responsibilities in the church-are also expected to exhibitstrong moral character, sincerity, and commitment to the gospel.  - P66

Paul explains that their integrity should be evident in both their public and privatelives, including in their homes. His emphasis on their faithfulness remindsus that serving in God‘s house requires more than just skill; it demands aChrist-like heart, . - P66

Leaders are to be held to a high standard, but these 
qualities should not be limited to them. Every believer is called to live a life ofintegrity, faithfulness, and dedication to God‘s work.  - P66

Service in the church, at any level, 
should reflect the character of Christ - P66

Heavenly Father, thank you for the spiritual leaders You have placed in my life. Strengthen them in their calling, uphold their integrity, and guard their hearts against temptation. - P67

Help me to honor and support them through prayer and by following Christ with sincerity and humility. In Your Son’s name I pray, amen. - P67

And when we face various challengesin our day-to-day experience, how we choose to respond is telling. We canmake decisions that either are or are not aligned with God‘s truth.
If Christ is our moral standard, this does not mean that we should beconsumed with over-analyzing everything that we do or judging others ineverything that they do - P67

. That would lead us to try to manufacture God‘sgoodness and truth ourselves rather than allowing Him to change us fromthe inside out.  - P67

However, if we are truly focused on Jesus, then we are awarethat there is an example of what is truly good.  - P67

Jesus is the clear standard bywhich we orient our lives. May we keep our eyes on Him and His goodnessand avoid all that does not conform to His ways. - P67

1I urge, then, first of all, ...

1I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—

2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

3This is good, and pleases God our Savior,

4who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

5For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,

6who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time

- P60

14And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.

15But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

- P61

Paul urges prayers for all, including those in authority, so people may livepeaceful lives. This pleases God, who wants all to be saved and to know thetruth.  - P61

Paul was appointed an apostle and herald to the Gentiles of the goodnews of Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all people. He urgesmen to pray without anger, and women to learn in quietness and submission. - P61

Paul urges the church to prioritize prayer for all people, including all types of leaders. The rulers of his time were often hostile to Christians, so the believers are called to intercede for those in authority. Their leadership is ultimately under the sovereignty of God, and those who rule with wisdom and justice can foster peace, which can help people to come into a greater knowledge of the truth. - P62

Today, in an age when truth is often seen as relative, the urgency of God’s witness remains. - P62

As we pray and speak the truth that salvation is found only in Jesus Christ, we participate in God’s redemptive work, inviting the Holy Spirit to convict hearts and draw people to the Savior. - P62

These instructions emphasize how believers should conduct themselves incorporate worship. Paul‘s comments address specific concerns in the historical and social context of the early church, but they offer timeless principlesfor us today.  - P62

First, Paul stresses the importance of modesty—not only indress but also in behavior. Worship is about glorifying Christ, not drawingattention to ourselves. Through our clothing, demeanor, and actions, ourfocus should remain on God.  - P62

Second, Paul emphasizes the importance oforder in worship. Every Christian tradition has a structured way of conducting services, which should be respected for the sake of unity.  - P62

Ultimately, public worship is an expression of our devotion to Christ, and ourconduct should reflect reverence, humility, and a heart fully yielded to Him. - P62

Lord, teach me to worship You in spirit and truth. - P63

Help me to approach corporate worship with humility, modesty, and a heart centered on You. - P63

May my attitude and actions bring glory to Your name and my worship reflect wholehearted devotion. In Your name I pray, amen. - P63

We begin to see moreclearly whether our attitude and behavior resemble Christ‘s.
As he addresses how men and women should behave in the church, Paulstresses the importance of character. For men, he emphasizes praying to theLord with uplifted hands and without anger or disputing" (v. 8), remind-ing us about the biblical wisdom of being patient with one another andresolving disagreements.  - P63

For women, Paul encourages continuing to walkin faith, love, and holiness with propriety, reminding us about the biblicalwisdom of focusing on such virtues and maintaining them. Although eachgroup is addressed separately in this letter, the advice is applicable to allbelievers.  - P63

We would all do well to remember to practice patience towardone another, have faith in the Lord, live lives that are rooted in God‘s loveand truth, and highly value God‘s holiness. As we do so, we become moreaccurate reflections of the Jesus we follow. - P63